Results 961-980 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: I will focus on leasing, to which there is some ideological opposition. In my book, I have always said that any unit that can be secured for an individual or a family that gives them secure accommodation for a period of 20 or 25 years is far preferable to someone being in an unsecure HAP property. I note from the figures that South Dublin County Council delivered 353 leased units between...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: Is higher density delivery a key point as well here? A lot of those schemes in Dublin are not being activated at the moment. Does Ms Farrelly believe that a leasing scheme could unlock more of that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: What is Mr. Ward's view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: I have a question on turnaround times. Fingal mentioned around 32 weeks for re-letting and subsequently mentioned a framework that was in place for maintenance. Is it not the case that the frameworks have reduced letting times because they do not have to go out for tender for each individual project? Tied to that I assume South Dublin County Council is doing that because it has a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: I am interested in south Dublin whose turnaround is 24 weeks as I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: It has gone up.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementation of Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

John Cummins: Understood. I thank Mr. Ward.

Seanad: Housing for All: Statements (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is appropriate we are having statements on Housing for All at this juncture. I always welcome the opportunity to talk about the progress that has been made with the Housing for All plan, which is building on the strong foundations which were laid in previous years. The plan is working, despite what some say. Is it happening quick enough?...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I support the Order of Business as outlined. I would take this opportunity to talk about a positive decision that has just been made by Cabinet in the last while about the north quays in Waterford city. This is a project that many people have been involved in over the last six or seven years and there have been many false dawns along the way. This morning, Cabinet approved over €170...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I thank both local authorities for being with us this afternoon from Limerick and Waterford. They are two very proactive local authorities in their space and they are leaders in different areas. The benefit of these committee hearings is that we can tease out what is working well and where, and what improvements we can bring to local authorities in other areas to ensure, if not that we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Some local authorities say that the process is too complex and that there is a significant financial risk. I appreciate that there is. That is why the Government is looking at putting in place an underwriting scheme, essentially. How has Limerick City and County Council overcome those issues over and above other local authorities? Is it that it has just gone out there and taken the risk...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: That fund is key to unlocking other local authorities to do as Limerick City and County Council has done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Does Mr. Grimes wish to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Would Waterford City and County Council support the call from some of the other local authorities, such as those in Dublin and Cork, for that to be increased further in light of increased inflation-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: It is important to say that it is recouped fully.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: Perfect. If I may move on to Waterford in respect of affordable housing. It is very significant that the first schemes are advertised at the moment, with 117 units open for application. There are advantages and disadvantages to being first up in a process. I wish to tease out some of the issues the local authorities have encountered heretofore and how they have been overcome. Then,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: He will get another opportunity to contribute.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: I join with colleagues in conveying my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Vicky Phelan. I refer to the expansion of the Croí Cónaithe towns scheme which has been announced by the Government in recent hours.It is very welcome news that this excellent scheme, which focuses on rural one-off properties and properties in our city centres, is to be expanded. The scheme provides...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (8 Nov 2022)

John Cummins: The opportunity is there in the new Croí Cónaithe scheme. I had a response last month that said it was being extended to rural one-off houses and cities in November. I understand that circular is going to be issued to local authorities next week. Given what Mr. Daly has said, I assume he would welcome that. If one takes the €100,000 that would be put into the unit...